Storm Damage & Insurance Claims
We document the damage, file the claim, meet the adjuster, and lay out every option.
Explore Storm Damage & Insurance ClaimsRestoration division
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration in Michiana
Structure secured, smoke and water damage addressed, and the home rebuilt — claim included.
After a fire there are three separate problems in the same building: what burned, what the smoke reached, and what the water used to put it out soaked. They do not stop at the same place, and a rebuild that only addresses the charred area leaves a house that smells of smoke every humid day for years.
Lake Acer works with homeowners through fire restoration from the first board-up to the final coat of paint. We secure the structure, document everything for the claim, and rebuild — roof, exterior and interior — so you are dealing with one contractor and one scope at the worst possible time to be managing several.
Our process
How a fire restoration proceeds
- Step 01
Secure and cover the structure
Board-up and roof covering so the building is not taking weather or unwanted entry while the claim is opened. We respond around the clock.
- Step 02
Assess fire, smoke and water separately
Three different damage footprints get three different assessments, because they extend to different parts of the house.
- Step 03
Document and file the claim
A fire claim is a large, detailed scope. We assemble the documentation and manage the filing and correspondence with your carrier.
- Step 04
Demolition and cleaning
Unsalvageable material removed and smoke-affected surfaces and framing treated, so odor is dealt with at the source rather than painted over.
- Step 05
Rebuild
Structure, roof, exterior and interior finishes rebuilt — including the kitchen, bath, flooring and drywall work our interior remodeling team handles.
Why Lake Acer
Why homeowners choose us for fire damage restoration
One contractor, whole rebuild
Roof, exterior and interior under a single scope and a single point of contact, at a time when coordinating trades is the last thing you need.
Smoke treated at the source
Odor comes back when affected framing and cavities are sealed up untreated. The cleaning stage is not a shortcut we take.
Fire-service water is damage too
The water used to put out the fire frequently causes more square footage of damage than the flames. It belongs in the claim and in the scope.
Large claims managed properly
Fire claims are detailed and slow. We handle the documentation and keep the process moving rather than leaving it to you.
Emergency board-up, any hour
Open 24 hours. Securing the building is the first call, and we can take it tonight.
From our Google reviews
Real words from Michiana homeowners
“I highly recommend this company 100%. They did the roofing on my house and cleaned everything.”
Rocael HernandezGoogle review
“Lake Acer was recommended from another customer that had their roof done, and I could not be more impressed with their craftsmanship. Their team, start to finish, made this roof replacement easy! Thank you for our new roof, it looks amazing!! If you are considering a new roof or restoration, you should choose Lake Acer!”
Cole TrombleyGoogle review
Where we offer it
Fire Damage Restoration across the Michiana area
Pick your city for local storm context, the housing stock we most often work on there, and a free inspection booked from that page.
Fire Damage Restoration — common questions
What should I do first after a fire?
Do not re-enter until the fire service has cleared the building. Once it is safe, contact your insurer to open the claim and get the structure secured — board-up and roof covering — before weather or entry adds to the loss. We take those calls around the clock.
Can smoke odor really be removed?
In most cases, yes — but only by treating the materials that absorbed it rather than masking the air. That means removing what cannot be cleaned and properly treating the framing and surfaces that stay. Shortcuts here are why some rebuilt houses still smell.
How long does a fire rebuild take?
It depends entirely on scope, and anyone who gives you a timeline before assessing the building is guessing. What we will do is give you a realistic schedule once the scope is settled, and tell you when something changes.
Other services
You might also need
Water Damage Restoration
Leaks, ice dams and storm water dried out, rebuilt and finished — claim included.
Explore Water Damage Restoration
Interior Remodeling
Drywall, flooring, tile, kitchen and bath — finishing the rebuild or a project of its own.
Explore Interior Remodeling
Emergency Roof Repair
Active leak or storm damage right now — we answer around the clock and get it covered.
Explore Emergency Roof RepairFree inspection & estimate
Get a free fire damage restoration estimate
Tell us what's going on and we'll arrange a free inspection — drone photos included, no obligation. Prefer to talk? Call or text any hour.
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